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The Best Toys for 5-7 Year Olds
The Best Toys for 5-7 Year Olds

The Best Toys for 5-7 Year Olds

New readers, curious builders and kids with big plans for that empty cardboard box—we’ve got gift ideas.

author-Briana Engelbrecht
By Briana Engelbrecht
Updated On
Updated On
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In This Article

Best Toys for Reading & Storytelling 
Best Building, Math & Science Toys 
Best Arts & Crafts Toys 
Best Toys for Pretend Play 
Best Games & Puzzles to Play Together 
Best Toys for Active & Outdoor Play

There’s a lot happening between five and seven: starting kindergarten, sounding out words on signs, adding up everything in sight and coming home with new games you’ve never heard of. Those school-day discoveries can carry right into play, whether they’re writing a menu for a pretend café or figuring out how to keep a building from toppling.

My kids are about to turn five and seven, so between their birthdays and Christmas, I’m shopping this list right alongside you. I also have a background in early childhood development and have been part of the Babylist team since 2020. That experience helps me think through what makes a good toy for this age, but my kids keep me current on what’s actually making the wishlist.

This guide includes picks for budding readers, hands-on math play, building, creating and getting outside. There’s plenty of room for silliness, too.

Birthday or holiday coming up? Save your favorites to a Babylist wishlist so you’re ready when family asks for ideas. Log in to your account and create a birthday or holiday wishlist, then add gifts from any store. Group them into categories, add notes about your child’s interests and share the link with friends and family. Keep it updated as you discover new favorites together.

Best Toys for Reading & Storytelling 

There’s room on the bookshelf for words they’re learning to sound out and stories they still want you to read aloud. These picks include ways to practice new reading skills, first chapter-book adventures and picture books you can enjoy together.

Best Building, Math & Science Toys 

If your kids are anything like mine, they’re curious little scientists whose favorite question is, “Why?” Building sets, experiments and hands-on math toys give them ways to test their ideas—and come up with even more questions.

Best Arts & Crafts Toys 

A cardboard box, a pair of scissors and a very ambitious plan can take over an afternoon at this age. As refining those fine motor skills—think holding a pencil and using scissors—they can try more detailed projects, too. Give them a few more materials to work with, from rock painting and origami to a drum set for their next musical project. You may want to negotiate rehearsal hours.

Best Toys for Pretend Play 

Their pretend worlds now come with very specific (and sometimes elaborate) instructions. Whether their stuffed animals are due for a checkup or you’re waiting to hear which superpower you’ve been assigned, these costumes and props give kids plenty of material for their next production.

Best Games & Puzzles to Play Together 

If you love board games and puzzles, this is a great time to introduce family game night! (Go Fish is a weekly staple in our house, and we take it very seriously.) You may need a practice round—or three—before everyone’s ready. These games and puzzles give you something to figure out together, with room for quick rounds, silly moments and one more try. Shopping for more than one kid? Find more ideas in our guide to gifts for siblings to share.

Best Toys for Active & Outdoor Play

Sometimes the afternoon needs a change of scenery. Head outside to launch rockets, look for bugs or hit a ball back and forth. A pair of walkie-talkies can turn even a familiar outdoor spot into somewhere with a mission to complete.

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